Talk » the Union, Califf has fond memories

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Defenseman Dan Boyle retired from the NHL on Wednesday at SAP Center, where he played six seasons with the San Jose Sharks during a 17-year career.Boyle won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, one of his four NHL teams, won an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada in 2010 and was a two-time NHL All-Star.Boyle, who played his final two seasons with the New York Rangers, retired as San Joses career leader among defensemen in points (269) and assists (201). He ranks second in goals (68) and shots (1,095).Boyle went undrafted, but he wound up playing 1,093 regular-season games and 130 playoff games during his career with the Florida Panthers, Lightning, Rangers and Sharks. Among defensemen, he ranks 31st in goals, 35th in points and 38th in assists.Coming out of college, I was undersized and overlooked and all that stuff thats kind of made me what I am today, said the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Boyle, sitting next to Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, with his family and many of his former San Jose teammates looking on.I definitely had a chip on my shoulder. I probably always will. Its just what makes me me, and thats probably what has allowed me to have the career that I had.Boyle signed with the Panthers as a free agent on March 30, 1998, then was traded to the Lightning in January 2002 for a fifth-round pick.Boyle said his career took off after a one-on-one meeting he had with current Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who coached him with Tampa Bay.We sat down and I asked him, I said, `Can you please trust me? Boyle said. `I know I play the game a little differently than most, I know it might be a little risky at times, but I know what Im doing. Just please trust me. Thats kind of when my true career took off. He trusted in me. I responded with what I thought was good hockey and responsible hockey.Tortorella talked to Boyle on a speaker phone during his retirement ceremony.I dont think you ever received enough credit for what a fierce competitor you were, Tortorella said. I witnessed it first-hand. You were the engine of our Stanley Cup team. We dont get where we go if it isnt (for) what you do at that rover position that you had, as far as just doing your thing.Boyle, who will retire in the San Jose area, spent parts of six seasons with the Lightning, playing 394 games and amassing 66 goals, 187 assists and 253 points.Then on July 4, 2008, Tampa Bay traded Boyle, along with Brad Lukowich, to the Sharks for Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, a first-round draft pick in 2009 and a fourth-round choice in 2010.He was like a one-man breakout, Sharks center Logan Couture said of Boyle. He could skate the puck out of trouble better than most guys that play this game. As a teammate he was as competitive as they come.After the 2013-14 season, San Jose traded Boyles rights to the New York Rangers for a fifth round choice in the 2015 draft. The Rangers signed him to a new contract on July 1, 2014.Will Smith Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Tommy Lasorda Dodgers Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/3275h-j-t-chargois-jersey-dodgers.html .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Don Drysdale Dodgers Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Sandy Koufax Dodgers Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it.TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen says there is a future for Danny Califf at the MLS club despite the 33-year-old defenders lack of activity recently. Califf was touted as a veteran presence when he was taken in the re-entry draft in December. New Toronto FC president Kevin Payne said at the time that the franchise expected Califf "to provide important leadership as we change the culture of our team." "Were thrilled to have him on our team," Payne added in the statement. But after starting the first four games of the season, Califf has been reduced to being a spectator of late, arguably Torontos fifth choice at centre back. On Tuesday, he was nowhere to be seen. "He had a virus last week. Hes been away for a few days actually," said Nelsen when asked about the absence. Its worth noting that Califf was acquired before Nelsen, a former central defender himself who is just two years older than Califf, was installed as manager. Nelsen reminded reporters of the fact when asked if the relationship between club and player was no longer viable. "When I came in, knowing that Toronto had signed Danny, it was like all five centre backs weve got, it was all for them to compete for two jobs," he said. "Everybody in their career has to go from pecking order one to pecking order five. Thats life, its how you react to it. "All we want from Danny, all we ask of him is we set up an environment that people can work hard, put their head down and try and get on the spot. Thats all we ask of our players." Asked if there was a future for Califf in a Toronto FC shirt, Nelsen replied: "Of course, everybbody here has a future.dddddddddddd. But its about putting in an effort, day in and day out, on and off the field." Going into this season, Califf had played in 207 MLS games over 10 seasons for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia Union and Chivas USA. He has also played in Denmark for Aalborg and Midtjylland. Califf was first-choice at centre-back along with Darren ODea for the first four games of Torontos season. While not fleet of foot, he seemed to have done the job asked. He missed the next game, against FC Dallas, because of stomach flu. And then it all went south. Califf was healthy for the trip to Philadelphia the following week, with his California-based family set to see the game. The first ever captain of the Union, Califf has fond memories of his time in Philadelphia. Nelsen elected to stick with 21-year-old Gale Agbossoumonde, who had made his MLS debut in place of Califf the week before, and Califf found himself on the bench. He did not see action that day and has not stepped on the field in a league game since. Toronto has used Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry at centre back recently, with ODea shifted to left back. Agbossoumonde has been on the bench. Califf has made no waves publicly, although it was obvious the Philadelphia snub hurt when he lost his starting job. Toronto hosts the Union in a return match Saturday. Califf, said to be ailing, was not part of the Toronto match squad in New England last weekend. He was an unused substitute for the five previous league games. He did play in both semifinal legs of the Amway Canadian Championship against Montreal, winning 2-0 at home and losing 6-0 in Montreal. ' ' '